The Bluffton Police Department now has another way to comfort children at accident or crime scenes. A Bluffton toy store recently donated about 50 stuffed animals to the department, according to a department release.

After coming to the aid of a child who was injured in an apparent fall outside their business, Jaja and Christopher Epps, owners of May River Toys on Calhoun Street in Bluffton, came up with an idea to become more involved in the community through the store. The couple handed the injured child a stuffed animal and noticed an immediate difference.

“The second we gave him the animal, he calmed down,” Jaja Epps said. “It kept his mind off what was going on. We said to each other if it’s that easy to help with a stuffed animal, we should give them to the police department, so our toys can help when a child is involved in an accident or a serious incident.”

The Epps’ mulled over ideas with Town Councilmember Karen Lavery and helped Sgt. Scott Chandler deliver the toys to the department last month.

“Each officer has an inventory of tools at their finger tips to serve Bluffton,” Chandler said. “Among our tools, now, are stuffed animals. Our first task is to be a peace officer, and we hope these animals will bring comfort to our smallest residents.”

Chief Joey Reynolds thanked the store for its donation.

“Businesses, such as May River Toys, who partner with our public safety mission underscores how so many are concerned about the well-being of their neighbors,” Reynolds said. “Gestures like this make Bluffton a special community to serve.”

Chandler said a stuffed animal is a small way to comfort a child, and it could help form a lasting impression about the role of police in their community.

“It’s a good day when we can do our jobs and comfort a child at the same time,” Chandler said. “Thanks to May River toys, our job just got a little easier.”